Tanzania Bike Tour

Mountain Biking Tour Tanzania from $5,457 NZD

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16 Days
  • 2013
  • Best time to travel: June - October
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  • 26 Feb to 13 Mar $5,457NZD
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  • -
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  • 16 Jun to 01 Jul $5,457NZD
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  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Great diversity, great biking, great wildlife, fantastic landscapes — see the best of Africa in Tanzania.

Including national parks and game drives, this tour gives you the chance to see the Big Five — the African elephant, black rhinoceros, cape buffalo, lion and leopard.

Ride from the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro to the Rift Valley, where some of the world's oldest, largest and deepest lakes are located. You'll go game driving in the vast Ngorongoro Crater and relax on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar.

Nairobi to Dar es Salaam

Jomo Kenyatta Intl. Airport
  • Mountain biking
  • Grade
  • Group size for this tour is 4-9
  • USD 300 single room surcharge
  • USD 200 bike Hire
  • Tour extension available here
  • This tour is invoiced in USD
  • We can customise this tour to suit your group. Call us for details!
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Tanzania



Tanzania Bike Tour Fitness and Preparation

From basic tent accommodation to luxury camping; a boarding school dormitory to 4 star hotels, there's a great mix of places to stay.

This trip offers a moderate biking challenge, and can be altered to fit everyone's interest, abilities and fitness level. Non-biking partners are welcome to join.

This is biking as it should be — off the beaten path, and great fun!

Grade 3 – Moderate - Challenging Tours

Moderate to Challenging tours are designed for the more experienced participant wishing to push themselves and experience new highs of achievement. Routes may include longer climbs and more technical skills.

Fitness required

A good level of fitness is required, exercising three-four times a week prior to the tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival day: Nairobi (Kenya)

No biking / Accommodation: hotel

Arrive in Nairobi by late afternoon. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel, located about 2 km west of Nairobi's CBD. Depending on when you arrive, there may be time to explore the city after you've checked in. The group will meet before our welcome dinner at around 7pm.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Nairobi (Kenya) to Mta wa Mbu (Tanzania)

No biking / Accommodation: fixed tents (shared facilities)

After an early breakfast, we'll leave Nairobi around 6.30 am. We travel by bus to Arusha in Northern Tanzania for lunch at the Franziscan Mission, where we'll build our bikes and leave our main luggage. Then we'll jump into land cruisers for a 4 hour drive past hilly farmland, cornfields and coffee trees to the world-famous crater rim (2000 m). We may see our first monkeys, and trees full of storks and their nests. Our tent site is a lovely natural camp, with amenities including toilets and hot showers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Ngorongoro Crater (Hole-Hole)

No biking / Accommodation: fixed tents (shared facilities)

This morning there's an hour's drive to the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a full day of game driving. There's an excellent chance of seeing the so-called Big Five traditionally most-prized game animals: elephants, lions, black rhinos, buffaloes and leopards. With luck we'll see many others, including giraffes, baboons, hippos, etc. In the middle of the day when the animals are elusive, we'll have a picnic lunch beside a lake and at the end of the day we'll return to our camp site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

Lake Manyara to Mkuru Camel Camp

Biking/Climbing: 12 km/130m Accommodation: basic camp

An early morning game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, takes us alongside the 600 m high Rift Valley escarpment. You'll see flamingoes, pelicans, and with luck, lions resting in trees. Then it's back to Arusha for lunch in a beautiful African restaurant, where you can buy handcrafts from local disabled people. Next we cycle to a remote (and permanent) campsite with stunning views of Mt. Meru. Facilities are basic, but by staying here we support the local village. At night by the campfire you'll hear the sounds of animals in the plains nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Mkuru Camel Camp to Ndarakwai

Biking/Climbing: 39 km/206m Accommodation: tented lodge

Today you'll see Maasai settlements as we ride past Tinga Tinga and on to Ndarakwai. During our picnic lunch, zebras and Maasai cattle will probably be roaming nearby and today we are also likely to see many birds and other animals including giraffes and elephants. Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) is just ahead, and we’ll overnight at the wonderful Ndarakwai Lodge. This eco-conscious haven features permanent tents with thatched rooves and ensuites, and lives up to its slogan: ‘Luxury in Simplicity'.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

Ndarakwai to Kamwanga

Biking/Climbing: 59km/1300m Accommodation: basic camp

As you cycle along the rolling foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro through grain fields, you'll very likely see many traditionally dressed Maasai people. They are very welcoming, and children in particular will call out 'Jambo' ('Hello' in Swahili). Our campsite tonight is in Kamwanga near the Kenyan border, and is a school ground surrounded by classrooms — a truly African experience. The facilities are quite basic but staying here is a great way for us to support the local area. We may see Mt. Kilimanjaro in the morning from this elevated site.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

Kamwanga to Lake Chala

Biking/Climbing: 83km/745m Accommodation: camping

We'll bike around a quarter of Mt. Kilimanjaro as our route leads us through savannah, forests and banana plantations. As we ride, you'll see local people in their daily work. Remote single trails lead us to tonight’s campsite, set in savannah-like grounds and just a short walk from Lake Chala, a sparkling crater lake. A swim may be an option before we finish this memorable day around the campfire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Lake Chala - Marangu

Biking/Climbing: 26 km/755m Accommodation: hotel

This morning there's a short ride up to Marangu, the main village which services Mt Kilimanjaro’s tourism. The higher we climb, the greener our surroundings become. We'll stop at Lucerne Inn (owned by one of our guides Serverin) for lunch, before riding just a few more metres to our hotel, set in a lovely garden. The afternoon is yours to relax or to explore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Marangu to Mambo View Point

Biking/Climbing: 19 km/1400m Accommodation: eco lodge

After breakfast we'll drive about 250 km south to the ecologically important Usambara Mountains. After lunch at the foot of the road to the beautiful village of Mtae, cycle, bike/walk, walk or just take the van up the steep climb ahead! However you get there, the panoramic views are well worth it. Then, drive/cycle along the ridge through picturesque villages to the Mambo View Point eco-lodge at 1900 m, for fantastic views over the Pare Mountains, the Mkomazi National Park and Kilimanjaro.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10

Mambo View Point to Usambara Mountains

Biking/Climbing: 58 km/885m Accommodation: hotel

Much of Tanzania's produce is grown in the Usambara Mountains, and today offers idyllic biking through well cultivated farmland. We'll stop in one of the villages to sample the local coffee or tea. Our accommodation tonight is Muller's Lodge, a mountain lodge at 1700 m in rolling forested hills above Lushoto, the main town of the region. The brick lodge, built in 1935, is renowned for its beautiful woodwork and furniture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11

Muller's Lodge to Korogwe

Biking/Climbing: 86 km/815m Accommodaton: Mission

Today we'll bike through terraced hillside plantations to the southern edge of the mountains. This is the region's main tea growing area, and just before lunch we’ll climb into the rainforest for the last time. This is followed by an amazing long downhill out to the plains. Your accommodation tonight is in (multi) share rooms at an Anglican Mission in the town of Korogwe, with shared facilities.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12

Korogwe to Pangani

Biking/Climbing: 101km/600m Accommodation: tented lodge

Today its a long ride on a mostly flat trail alongside sisal plantations and palms to the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation for the next two days is a small and friendly tented lodge built in a coconut grove on the shores of Tanzania’s mainland, just opposite Zanzibar Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13

Pangani

No biking / Accommodation: tented lodge

Pangani is an ancient town believed to date from before the 6th Century BC and was once a strategic point on the caravan route for exporting slaves and ivory. Now it is mainly a fishing and vacation town. You have all day to explore the town or visit Pangani Falls, a stunning waterfall which provides electricity to several major towns. Another option is to just relax on the beach for a well-earned rest after yesterday's long ride!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14

Pangani to Nungwi (Zanzibar)

No biking / Accommodation: hotel

An early boat transfer takes us to Nungwi at the north end of Zanzibar Island (also called Unguja). Zanzibar is known as the 'Spice Island' for its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper. The boat trip takes about 2 hours. Nungwi is a vibrant fishing village loved by its many visitors. Our hotel overlooks the sea to the distant island of Tumbatu and its lighthouse. The beautiful white coral and seashell beach is the perfect place to watch an incredible sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15

Nungwi to Zanzibar Town (Stone Town)

Biking/Climbing: 56 km/386m Accommodation: hotel

Zanzibar Island has lured traders, adventurers and explorers for centuries. We explore it by bike, ending up in Stone Town, the island's main town. Named for the coral stone of its buildings, Stone Town was once the heart of the slave and spice trades. Its winding alleys, bazaars, mosques and grand Arabian houses have changed little in 200 years. You can spend many hours exploring the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Today we ride on single speed local bikes, and stay in a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16

Departure Day: Stone Town to Dar es Salaam

No biking

It's time to say goodbye to Zanzibar as our Tanzanian adventure concludes. Enjoy a delicious breakfast before transferring to the airport for your flight to Tanzania's largest city, Dar es Salaam, where your tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast

Hi I'm Sandy

Call me if you have any questions.

Sandy

Tel: +64 (0)3 982 9933
NZ - 0800 829 933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Accommodation (mixture of hotels,lodges, mission and camping)
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Support vehicle(s)
  • Experienced tourguide(s) and crew
  • Arrival & departure airport transfers (day 1 & day 16 only)
  • Entrance fee to 2 Game Parks
  • Boat transfer from Pagani to Zanzibar
  • Flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam
  • Bottled drinking water on riding days

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Passport and travel visa requirements (Kenya and Tanzania visas required)
  • Drinks & personal snack bars (e.g. Power Bar, etc.)
  • Personal expenses
  • Bike hire

Tour Video

Tanzania is a great place to explore by bike - great biking, great landscapes and great people! This movie gives a taste of what you can expect on a Tanzania Mountain Biking tour with Global Adventure Guide.